Permanent type antifreeze composition



2,817,636 Patented Dec. '24, 19 57 2,817,636 I PERMANENT E ANTWREEZE COMPOSITION Robert C. Barker, Pittsburgh, Pa, assignor to Gulf Research & Development Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Application October 4, 1954 Serial No. 460,254

Claims. (Cl. 252-75) The invention described herein relates to an improved permanent type antifreeze composition particularly for utilization in cooling systems of internal combustion engines.

Permanent antifreeze compositions such as ethylene glycol have, of course, been known and used for years. However, such antifreeze compositions have not been entirely satisfactory. These compositions are used in an environment where they are in contact with several dilferent metals such as copper, iron, solder, etc. Electrolytic efiects cause gradual destruction of the structure composed of these metals. These dihydric alcohols are especially destructive of iron components of a cooling system. Also the antifreeze composition is exposed to the action of elevated temperatures and a certain amount of air or oxygen. Oxidation of the antifreeze composition into corrosive materials therefore takes place during use. Corrosion of containers constructed of iron or tin plate and having soldered seams also takes place during storage of these antifreeze agents. Various corrosion inhibitors or the like have been added to the antifreeze agents to avoid this problem, but have not eliminated corrosion to a satisfactory extent. Furthermore, many of these additives cause hearing seizure when the antifreeze accidentally becomes mixed with the crankcase oil.

This invention has for its object to overcome the abovedescribed difficulties. Another object is to provide a permanent antifreeze composition having markedly reduced corrosive action during storage or use. A still further object is to provide a permanent type antifreeze composition which has improved characteristics in that corrosion of internal combustion engine cooling equipment is markedly reduced. Another object is to provide a permanent type antifreeze composition which will not cause bearing seizure. Other objects will appear hereinafter.

These and other objects are accomplished in accordance with my invention which comprises a dihydric ali phatic alcohol of low molecular weight as an antifreeze agent which contains an alkali metal nitrite, triethanolamine, an alkali metal salt of 2-ethylhexyl-methylbutylorthophosphoric acid and an alkali metal mercaptobenzothiazol. It has been found in accordance with my invention that this composition has improved properties when,

utilized as an antifreeze composition.

In the following description I have set forth several of the preferred embodiments of my invention, but it is to be understood that they are given by way of illustration and not in limitation thereof.

The antifreeze agent contemplated by my invention is preferably ethylene glycol, and I will describe my invention in detail in connection therewith. However, the invention is equally applicable to other low molecular weight dihydroxy aliphatic alcohols such as propylene glycol or mixtures such as percent ethylene glycol, 20 percent propylene glycol and 5 percent polyethylene glycol; percent ethylene glycol, 15 percent propylene glycol and 5 percent polyethylene glycol; percent ethylene glycol and 10 percent diethylene glycol; or percent ethylene glycol and 5 percent diethylene glycol.

The four additives to be incorporated in the antifreeze agent in accordance with my invention can be dissolved in a small amount of the permanent type antifreeze agent, and this solution then may be added to the antifreeze agent in the desired amounts, preferably with stirring to effect complete intermixture and solution thereof. It is also satisfactory to first dissolve the additives in a small amount of water and the solution thus formed may be incorporated in the larger bulk of the antifreeze agent. Commercial considerations necessitate that the antifreeze composition as marketed should contain as little diluent as possible. Therefore, when utilizing an inactive material such as water to assist in preparing the composition, as little water as possible should be employed". If desired, the additives may be directly incorporated in the bulk of the antifreeze agent. It will be apparent to a chemist that other methods or combinations of the foregoing methods may be used to obtain solution of the additives in the antifreeze agent.

The alkali metal nitrite. is incorporated in the dihydroxy antifreeze agent in an amount such that the antifreeze composition will contain between about 0.20 and 0.80 percent by weight of alkali metal nitrite. It is preferred that the antifreeze compositioncontain approximately 0.5 percent alkali metal nitrite. The triethanolamine is incorporated so that the antifreeze. composition contains between about 0.20 and 1.00 percent. It is preferred that the composition contain approximately 0.5 percent triethanolamine. The alkali metal. 2-ethylhexyl-' 3-methylbutylorthophosphate is incorporated so that the antifreeze composition contains between about 0.10 and 0.50 percent of alkali metal 2-ethylhexyl-3-methylbutylorthophosphate. It is preferred that the antifreeze composition contain approximately .25 percent of alkali metal 2-ethylhexyl-3-methylbutylorthophosphate. The antifreeze composition is prepared so that it contains between. about .05 and 0.15 percent alkali metal mercaptobenzothiazol. It is preferred that the antifreeze composition contain approximately 0.10 percent of alkali metal mercaptobenzothiazol. It is not necessary that the above percentage ranges be observed to obtain improved results, i. e. smaller or larger amountscan be used. However, for best results these ranges should be used. While I prefer to utilize the sodium salts of the nitrite, mercaptobenzo- 3 thiazol and 2-ethylhexyl-3-methylbutylorthophosphoric acid, other alkali metal salts such as potassium may be employed.

The antifreeze compositions constituting my invention may be utilized in a number of diflferent fields. For instance they may be added to liquids utilized in air conditioning systems to transfer heat wherein temperatures below the freezing point of water are encountered. However, the primary field of application is in connection with the cooling systems for internal combustion engines. In such cooling systems the antifreeze agent constituting my 4 1"x /t" strips of clean electrolytic copper and SAE 1020 steel joined together with solder in such a manner as to give a /8" x 1" Vs" solder block at each end of the couples. The resulting copper-steel-solder couples measured 2"x 1"): A". 'The tests also included determination of the pH before and after the test and the reserve alkalinity before and after the test. A pH in the acid range isunsatisfactory. Retention of reserve alkalinity is desirable since corrosion is accelerated when reserve alkalinity has been depleted in the solution. The

results of these tests are given in Table I.

TABLE I Corrosion test results for steelsolder-copper couples in ethylene glycol solutions Percent Corrosion pH pH Reserve Alka- Test Inhibitor by Loss, mg./ Before After Before linity Comments Weight sq. in./ Test Test Test After 336 hr. Test None 140. 4 7. 48 5.02 Steel was badly corroded. #1 (a) sodium nitrite 0. 50 42.3 7. 50 1 9. 61 0 1 2. 8 Steel was corroded. #2 ([2) sodium Z-ethylhexyl- 0. 22.9 7. 43 6. 72 0 5 0.3 Steel was corroded. Solder 3-methylbutylorthowas etched. phosphate. (0) triethanolamine 0.50 41. 7 9. 03 7. 17 3. 9 0. 7 Steel was badly corroded. ((1) sodium mercaptoben- 0.10 193.0 8.02 4.40 0.5 0.0 Do.

zothiml' I 0 s ld t h d L o erwasece. owre- 0.25 i 8 1 3 3 serve alkalinity. 8:23 4.0 8.98 8.42 4.5 3.1 Solder was etched. Hg 33.2 7.98 acs 0.6 1 2.7 Steel was pitted. 8 18.2 8.68 8.20 4.3 as Do. 0. 25 Steel was corroded. Low 0. 10 7 49 08 2 0 reserve alkalinity. gig 17.2 9.12 8.38 a4 28 Steel was corroded. 0.50 8. 3.9 8. 8. 29 4. 6 3. 1 Solder was etched. 0150 Metals were good. Low 8: 7 46 04 I 9 reserve alkalinity. 0. 50 8. 8. 8 8. 8. 20 3.0 2. 3 Light pits on solder. 0125 #14- 5. 1 9. 06 8. 98 4. 7 3. 7 Light; pits on steel.

0: 50 #15 .3 E3 0. a s. 31 8.10 5.1 4.1 Metal was excellent.

0. 10 0.20 #16. g: :3 0. 6 8. 92 8. 48 4. 0 1. 9 No apparent corrosion.

0.05 "2-13 #17 g: 1 3 0. 4 9. 02 8. 41 5. 9 3. 1 Do.

1 Increased pH and alkalinity due to formation of ferric hydroxide.

invention is usually diluted with water to obtain a 10-60 percent by volume solution.

I have conducted laboratory tests to evaluate the antifreeze compositions constituting my invention. Test solutions were prepared by dissolving the inhibiting agent or agents to be tested in ethylene glycol and adding this ethylene glycol to water to form a 20 percent ethylene glycol solution. Test metal couplings were then immersed in the test solution so that a solution to metal surface ratio of about 8 cc. of solution per square inch of metal surface was present. Air was then bubbled through the solution for a period of 336 hours, the solution being heated to F. At the end of this period, the metal couples under test were inspected and were weighed for loss of metal. The metal couples used in the test were. 1%." x 75 It will be noted from the data in Table I that the four agents constituting my invention when used alone gave very inferior results as compared with when they are all used together. It will also be noted that no other combination of these agents gave a satisfactory or comparable result. I

Additional corrosion tests were carried out in the manner described in connection with Table I. In these 70 tests the composition of the present invention was compared with three component inhibitors containing about the same total concentration. The amount of each metal removed by. corrosion was determined as mgms. per square inch'bf test specimen. The results are shown in Table II.

oer-ease by volume ethylene glycol solutions Corrosion Losses-mgJsquare inch/336 hrs.

Example Inhibitor Percent Steel- Copperby Sold-er- S der- Cast Copper Aluminum Comments Weight Copper Copper Iron Couple Couple (a) Sodium nitrite 0.50 (b) Sodium 2-ethylhexyl-3-methylbuty1- 0.25 A orthophosphate. 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.4 0.2 Note A.

(c) Triethanolamine 0.50 (d) Sodium mercaptobenzothiazol .50 1.00 1.0 2.9 0.2 1.3 1.2 Note B. 0.10. 0.50 0.50, 0.9 0.9 2.1 1.1 0.5 Note C. 0.10 0.50 0.75} 1.9 2.6 0.1 0.3 0.9 NoteD. 0.10 0.50 0.75 0.6 1.8 0.4 0.4 0.0 Note E. 0.10

TABLE IINOTES Note SteeI-Sclder-Copper Copper-Solder-Copper Cast Iron Copper Aluminum Couple Couple A Noapparentcorrosion. Noapparentcorrosiom Noapparentcorrosiom Noapparentcorrosion. Noapparentoorrosion. B Solder (\{ery lightly Solder pitted o do Do.

itte C Noapparentcorrosion. Copgegslightly cor- Verylight pitting--. Very light corrosion... Do.

ro e D Slightly tarnished.-. Slightly tarnished Noapparentcorrosion. Vzgiyhsliightly tar- Veryslightlytarnished.

. s e E do do Slightly tarnished. Slightly tarnished.-." Slightly tarnished.

i g tgf 5 1t l a the Steel ,5 s. A. E. 1020 cold rolled. 6011111081 10118 I pres I1 1 a 6 pr 11 HIV ll 1011 ga 6 S11- pp m 1A6, s. E. 71 cold rolled pcrior results to the three component compositions con- 1 H 1 t (7 th la r some hat sn aller t tal Brass A6 /2 hard z i s rger o W 1 O Solder /s", cast from 70-30 leadztin solder. 8 1 9 Cast aluminum-.. Ma", S. A. E. 329.

I have also carried out corrosion tests in which the 1 n Cast iron /s S. A. E. 120. composition of the present invention was compared under identical conditions with several commercial ethyl- The specimen bundles are placed in 150 1 f i. ene glycol antifreeze compositions which were purchased on the market during 1953-1954. These corrosion tests were made in accordance with the latest revision of proposed Laboratory Glassware Corrosion Tests as developed by Subcommittee VI of ASTM Committee 13-15 on Engine Antifreeze. In this method one-inch by two-inch specimens of the metals listed below are uniformly cleaned, polished, weighed, and bolted together with a brass machine screw using four -inch thick brass washers in between each test specimen. The nuts are tightened to insure electrical contact.

freeze solution contained in a 300 ml. tall-form beaker fitted with a neoprene stopper holding a condenser and a gas dispersion tube which extends to the bottom of the beaker. The solution is maintained at 160 F. and the aeration rate is set at ml./minute. After 336 hours, the specimens are removed from the solution, examined visually, cleaned free of corrosion products, dried, and Weighed. Corrosion losses are reported as mgms./specimen rather than mgms./square inch as used in the Table 11 tests. The results of these tests are shown in Table III.

TABLE III Corrosion test results for bolted metal specimens Concen- Corrosion Loss-mg./specimen/336 hours tration, Solution Percent Comments by Copper Solder Brass Steel Cast Iron Aluminum Volume Distilled water 100 10. 8 23. 7 9. 5 910. 6 835. 3 63.2 Note 1 Tap water 100 2. 4 31. 8 2. 4 1, 396.0 833. 3 22. 2 Note 2 Ethylene glycol 20 2. 5 77. 0 3. 7 1, 89B. 9 1, 587.0 14. 1 Note 3 Inhibited Ethylene glycol A 20 1. 8 2. 5 1.7 0.2 +0. 3 5. 7 Note 4. Inhibited Ethylene glycol A 40 1. 7 2. 5 2.0 0. 1 +0. 6 2. 2 Note 6. Commercial antifreeze B 20 11. 3 2. 5 7. 2 3.1 3. 5 +4. 3 Note 6. Commercial antifreeze C 33 9. 8 +5.0 6.3 1. 4 0.6 16. 9 N etc 7. Commercial antifreeze D 20 3. 2 +2. 9 3.9 0.6 +0. 9 6. 5 N 01:3 8 Commercial antifreeze E 20 7. 4, 0. 6 3. 3 2. 2 54. 9 48. 5 Note 9. Commercial antifreeze F 20 13. 7 20. 5 8.5 11.0 45. 0 22. 9 Note 10 Army specification 4-1116 G 20 6. 6 11. 1 6. 6 23. 1 86. 9 31. 2 Note 11. Army specification 4-1116 H 33 12. 5 22. 3 4. 9 6. 4 2. 9 29.1 Note 12 "Containing 0.5% sodium nitrite, 0.5% sodium 2-ethylhexyl-3 methylbutylorthophosphatc (50% ethanolamiue, 0.2% sodium. mercaptohenzothiazul (50% solution in water).

dispersion in water), 0.5% tri- TABLE IIL-NOTES Note Copper Solder Brass Steel Cast Iron Aluminum Light corrosion.... Moderate pitting Light corrosion.... Heavy corrosion... Heavy corrosion-- Moderate pitting. Slight tarnish. Moderate corro- Very light corro- --...do ..do Moderate corrosion. sion. sion. Heavy corrosion.- Light corrosion. .....do ..d0 Do. N o apparent Slight tarnish. N o apparent N 0 apparent Light corrosion.

corrosion. corrosion. corrosion. ..do ..do ..do .-do--.- ..do Do. 6 Light corrosion... .---.do Light corrosion.... Very light corro- Very light corro- No apparent sion. sion. corrosion. 7 .-do Very light pitting- Very light corro- No apparent cor- ..-..do Light corrosion.

. S1011. 8 Slight tarnish ..do Slight corrosion. -...-do No apparent Light pitting.

corrosion. 9 Light corrosion...- Veryislight cor- Light corrosion..-- Light pitting Heavy pitting... Moderate corroros on. sron. 10 -.do Moderate corro- .---.do Light c0rrosion...- Heavy corrosion Do.

on. 11 ..do Light corrosion.... Very 1t. corro- Moderate corro- -----do Do.

. sion. s n. 12 .-do Moderate corrodo Light corrosion...- Light pitting Do.

The data in Table III .show the instant invention product B. The invention was superior to product C all respects at concentration but was slightly inferior at concentration with regard to loss of cast This was greatly offset by the copper, solder, brass, steel and aluminum loss shown by product C.

iron.

The invention was poorer than product E in regard solder loss.

and vastly superior in cast iron and aluminum loss.

In addition to preventing the corrosion of metals in the cooling system of an engine, the compositions of the present invention have the important property notpossessed by conventional compositions of preventing engine failure when a portion of the aqueous antifreeze composition leaks into the lubricating system. In order However, the invention was substantially better than product E in copper, brass and steel loss III,

antifreeze compositions containing, respectively, about 1.5 and 2.0 percent of borax. antifreeze agents F and B respectively, tested in Table Antifreeze No. 3 was a composition of the invention comprising about 95 percent ethylene glycol, 0.5 percent sodium nitrite, 0,25 percent sodium Z-ethylhexyl- 3-methylbutylorthophosphate, amine, and 0.10 percent sodium mercaptobenzothiazol. Fifty percent aqueous solutions of each antifreeze were used in each test.

They are the same as 0.50 percent triethanol- TABLE IV Lauson Coolant En ine Test Cycles 50% Aqueous Solution of Antifreeze N o. l 2. 2 50% Aqueous Solution of Antifreeze No. 2 1. 8 50% Aqueous Solution of Antifreeze No. 3 0

Upon examination of the engines in which the aqueous solutions of Antifreeze No. 1 and Antifreeze No. 2 had Table IV. freeze No. 2 are commercially marketed permanent type 75 illustrate the latter property of the composition of the invention and to compare this composition with antifreeze compositions containing borax, a single-cylinder Lauson Model LF822 Engine equipped with a special cylinder head and loaded by means of a 3 horsepower, 1700 R. P. M., 3 phase induction motor, was used. An auxiliary oil sump was installed between the engine sump and cylinder in order to operate the engine with a 0.35 pound oil charge. stalled between the combustion chamber and the coolant passages in the cylinder head. During operation the orifice was adjusted to permit a constant flow of exhaust gases to pass through the antifreeze coolant.

A small adjustable orifice was in- With the coolant temperature maintained at 140 F.

maximum, the engine was run at 1000 R. P. M. idle for 10 minutes, under load at /3 throttle opening for 30 minutes, and at 1000 R. P. M. idle for 10 minutes. A portion of the antifreeze coolant was then permitted to drip into the cylinder at the rate of three drops a minute for three 'hours while the piston was at bottom dead center after the compression stroke. operation was repeated 10 times, after which the engine was run for 10 minutes at 1000 R. P. M. idle and then for minutes under load at full throttle. 60 minute run, the coolant temperature was held at 190 F. The above procedure constituted one cycle. If no indication of engine malfunction was noted, the cycle was repeated six times or until operational failure, which constitutes freezing of either the wrist pin or the piston.

The entire above During the The results of the Lauson engine test are given in In the table, Antifreeze No. 1 and Antibeen introduced, it was found that in each instance the wrist pins had frozen in both rod and piston. Also, there was a heavy deposit on the pistons and cylinder walls. There was no seizure in the engine with No. 3 Antifreeze. Examination of the engine in which the No. 3 Antifreeze had been introduced showed that the bearing surfaces were in excellent condition.

The antifreeze composition of the present invention was also used in twenty-one automobiles under normal driving conditions for seven consecutive winter months. The mileage driven during this test varied from 3019 to 13,379 miles. The antifreeze concentration varied from 28.2 to 46.5 percent by volume. Analysis of the antifreeze after these tests showed good maintenance of anti-corrosive power, small corrosion loss and small depletion of active components. The results of this test are given in Table V on the basis of average values found.

*Oaleulated to concentrated antifreeze.

I claim:

1. A permanent type antifreeze composition consisting essentially of a saturated dihydroxy aliphatic alcohol of low molecular weight containing approximately .2 to .8

percent by weight of an alkali metal nitrite, approximately .2 to 1.0 percent of triethanolamine, approximately .1 to .5 percent of an alkali metal 2-ethy1hexyl-3-methylbuty1- orthophosphate and approximately .05 to .15 percent of an alkali metal mercaptobenzothiazol.

2. A permanent type antifreeze composition consisting essentially of a saturated dihydroxy aliphatic alcohol of low molecular weight containing approximately .5 percent by weight of an alkali metal nitrite, approximately .5 percent of triethanolamine, approximately .25 percent of an alkali metal 2-ethylhexyl-3-methylbutylorthophosphate and approximately .1 percent of an alkali metal mercaptobenzothiazol.

3. A permanent type antifreeze composition consisting essentially of ethylene glycol containing approximately .2 to .8 percent by weight of an alkali metal nitrite, approximately .2 to 1.0 percent of triethanolamine, approximately .1 to .5 percent of an alkali metal 2-ethylhexyl-3- methylbutylorthophosphate and approximately .05 to .15 percent of an alkali metal mercaptobenzothiazol.

4. A permanent type antifreeze composition consisting References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,087,103 Downing et al. July 13, 1937 2,147,149 Clapsadle et a1 Feb. 14, 1939 2,491,222 Smith et al. Dec. 13, 1949 2,692,860 Barker Oct. 26, 1954 2,751,355 Clark June 19, 1956 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,817,636 December 24, 1957 Robert C. Barker It is hereb certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above num cred patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 4, line 3, for x 1" read x 1" x column 8, line 26, for 0,25 percent read 0.25 percent-.

Signed and sealed this 25th day of February 1958.

Attest: KARL H. AXLINE, ROBERT C. WATSON, Attesting Oficer. Gowwm'ssz'oner of Patents.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,817,636 December 24, 1957 Robert C. Barker It is hereb certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above num cred patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 4, line 3, for x 1" A read x 1" x column 8, line 26, for 0,25 percent read -0.25 percent.

Signed and sealed this 25th day of February 1958.

Attest KARL H. AXLINE,

ROBERT C. WATSON, Attestz'ng Ofiaer.

Uonwm'ssz'oner of Patents. 

1. A PERMANENT TYPE ANTIFREEZE COMPOSITION CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF A SATURATED DIHDROXY ALIPHATIC ALCOHOL OF LOW MOLECULAR WEIGHT CONTAINING APPROXIMATELY .2 TO .8 PERCENT BY WEIGHT OF AN ALKALI MATAL NITRITE, APPROXIMATELY 2 TO 1.0 PERCENT OF TRIETHANOLAMINE, APPROXIMATELY .1 TO .5 PERCENT OF AN ALKALI METAL 2 ETHYLHEXYL-3-METHYLBUTYLORTHOPHOSPHATE AND APPROXIMATELY 905 TO .15 PERCENT OF AN ALKALI METAL MERCAPTOBENZOTHIAZOL. 